eBay Motors Survey: Harsh Winter Weather Leads More Than One-Third of Drivers to Spend Tax Refund Dollars on Their Vehicles

One-third of these drivers will invest more than $1000 to fix weather-ravaged vehicles; more than half of taxpayers in Midwest, Northeast investing refunds into vehicles due to harsh winter

Overall, 36 percent of taxpayers are planning to spend a portion of their refund on their vehicle in 2014, an increase from 2013

A survey commissioned by eBay Motors reveals that this winter’s weather-ravaged roads are impacting the way taxpayers will spend their refunds this year. The survey found that one-third (34 percent) of drivers are planning to invest a portion of their refunds into their vehicles to address damage caused by this winter’s roads; one-third of those drivers will invest at least $1,000 of their refunds into winter-related vehicle repairs and maintenance.

Half (49 percent) of those drivers are investing the money to address damage caused by this winter’s roads; one-third (32 percent) are investing in parts or accessories to better equip their vehicle to handle rough winter road conditions. These parts include wheels and tires (54 percent), brakes (36 percent) and batteries (20 percent). Hazards like potholes, cracks, snow-obscured curbs and ice-induced accidents have especially impacted the Midwest and Northeast, where more than half (54 percent and 58 percent, respectively) of taxpayers will reportedly invest a portion of their refunds into their vehicles due to the winter weather.

“After a particularly brutal winter, it’s no surprise that drivers are investing into their vehicles to either address damage caused by the weather, or to better prepare for the next winter storm,” said Bryan Murphy, head of eBay Motors. “We traditionally see activity on eBay Motors rise during tax season, as drivers have additional funds to shop from the more than 41.5 million parts and accessories available on eBay Motors to make repairs, maintain or accessorize their vehicles, or to buy a new or used vehicle.”

Nationally, whether winter weather was an issue in their area or not, more than one-third (36 percent) of taxpayers are planning to spend a portion of their refund on their vehicle in 2014, up from 33 percent in 2013. The survey also found that drivers are increasingly likely to purchase parts and accessories for their vehicles via a computer or mobile device. More than one-third (42 percent) of taxpayers said they are likely to make an auto-related purchase online with a computer, a 7 percent increase from 2013; 22 percent of taxpayers said they are likely to make an auto-related purchase online with a mobile device, a 6 percent increase from 2013.

eBay Motors has also seen the growth of consumers making auto-related purchases via mobile devices – more than 14,000 cars and 581,000 parts are sold globally each week through eBay mobile apps.

This tax season, eBay Motors is helping American workers stretch their refunds even further with a unique online car sale. During the “Ford F-Series Tax Season Sale Extravaganza,” from April 11-17, shoppers can snag one of 27 new Ford F-Series trucks listed for sale on eBay Motors, with starting prices coming in up to 20 percent below MSRP – the price of each vehicle will drop by $1,000 every hour until a customer decides to click the “Buy it Now” button. Shoppers can visit here to see the vehicles available each day of the sale.

* This survey was conducted online on behalf of eBay Motors in March 2014 among 4,779 US adults between 18-60 years old. Key findings are based on 1,000 respondents who indicated they would spend their tax refund on auto related items. Surveys are not specific only to eBay customers or eBay app users.

About eBay Motors eBay Motors, a part of eBay Inc., is one of the world’s largest online marketplace for buying and selling all things automotive anytime, anywhere. eBay Motors offers everyday cars for everyday drivers, as well as collector cars, motorcycles, auto parts and accessories. Almost 5 million new and used vehicles have been sold on eBay Motors, and there are more than 41.5 million automotive parts and accessories available on eBay Motors at any given time. Currently, more than 14,000 cars and more than 581,000 parts and accessories are sold globally each week through eBay mobile apps.